Nuwisha Nation

The 5 Forms

Trickster's Law,s

Enough of the history lesson - you're getting restless, I can tell. Let me tell you something else, then: Trickster's Laws. What's so funny about that? What are pranks if there aren't rules that you break when you're doing them? While Trickster doesn't ask much of us, there are some things even Coyote takes seriously, and so we live as he asks us to. Disobey these laws and you've stepped out of line, even for our kind, and believe me, we'll let you know. Even if none of us ever find out, Coyote keeps a close eye on us (there aren't too many of us to watch, remember! ), and if you slip through our cracks, then he' U deal with you. You're better off just 'fessing up to us, because while we're pretty strict with our punishments, Trickster is creative. Worried? Good, it'll help you remember better. Coyote's rules are just common sense anyway, and best of all, most of the time they're a lot of fun!

Let Fools Die a Fool's Death This sounds cruel, but it's really kindness. If someone won't learn the lesson we're trying to teach him, then we leave him to the fate he deserves, no matter what it might be. Likewise, it is not our business to stop someone who sincerely wishes to take her own life, or to deny death to a person who's living in agony. Sometimes we give second chances, if we think the person's destiny merits such an exception, but just as often we turn away, and with good reason. Shielding others from the results of their own stupidity or Wyrm temptation only insulates them from the truth of their lives, and we cannot do that. If they wish to learn, fine. If not, we will not interfere one way or another. Let others wage wars or judge sinners; we are teachers, not saviors.

Teach Those Who Need Teaching a Proper Lesson Humans invented the phrase "poetic justice," but we Nuwisha perfected it. Coyote has forbidden us to engage in acts of revenge; that doesn't mean we can't help along those who need to be taught the error of their ways, though. When you find someone like this, prank them endlessly until they see what they have done wrong, and let their own judgment do them in from there. One man I knew liked to woo women, then break their hearts, simply for his own amusement; he learned the lesson of treating women respectfully after I arranged things so that he "just happened" to be trapped with a roomful of his former mates. I wonder if he still has the limp that came with it.

Always Prank the Wyrm All the other rules go out the window when it comes to minions of the Wyrm. They are our enemies, always have been and always will be, and though some scant few can be saved from their plight, most are beyond hope and should be pranked accordingly. Never believe the Wyrm, because he's the ultimate liar and will tell you anything to get your soul. Never befriend the Wyrm, unless you're doing it to get close enough to do some serious damage. This is a family affair for us - Wyrm scorned Coyote's help long ago, and if there's one thing we never forget, it's an insult. By doing the Wyrm harm, we honor Coyote as well.

Be Subtle Thanks to the actions of the wolves, who once treated humans like hunters treated herds of buffalo, the humans tend to forget when they see us in our Manabozho form, or pretend they saw something else. This is a gift, since it allows us to escape many situations unremembered, but there are always some who will remember and believe in us, and cameras do not forget as people do. Also, many changers and other supernatural beings do not trust us or our lessons, and react poorly if they know we're around. For all of those reasons, act carefully, and try not to leave tracks behind - the Changing Breeds have been hunted in the past, and the last thing we need is for that to happen again.

Respect Luna Long ago, Coyote offended Luna with his ways, and he serenades her nightly to make it up to her. As his children, we are bound to do the same.

Think, Then Act Coyote gifted us with wits, so please use them! Again, this is usually just common sense, but you'd be surprised how many cubs think being a trickster means putting yourself in a stupid situation without thinking of a way out first! Here's some quick tips, though, in case you need some: don't tick off enemies you can't escape; don't reveal our kibas to outsiders; don't lose your temper and strike out at other changers (you'll lose, trust me - we're not built to go head-to-head with them like that}; don't dice with the Wyrm and expect to come out ahead. Most of all, laugh, and teach others to find the humor in things as well- this is Coyote's greatest gift of all, and can bring us peace and joy when nothing else will.